I am pleased that the United States and Canada concluded a framework
agreement today to resolve the long-standing dispute on softwood lumber
trade. This agreement shows how NAFTA partners can overcome differences
and work together. The United States' close ties with our good friend and
northern neighbor made this agreement possible. I applaud Prime Minister
Harper's leadership in resolving this issue, and I am grateful to the lead
negotiators on both sides, Ambassador Susan Schwab for the United States
and Ambassador Michael Wilson of Canada.